How to Fake it Until You Make It

I grew up in a modest single parent home. My mother was a hard worker doing all she could to provide for me while my father would periodically drift in and out of my life elevating me to his lifestyle status whenever he did come around.

During the 70's when leather coats were really in style because of "Shaft" I was the only 7 year old to own a full length leather coat. My father bought it. He also bought many of hottest clothes out during the time whenever he came to visit. Some Christmases he would show, some he wouldn't. I grew up to learn he had other families and households he was spending time with when he wasn't at ours. My father earned quite a bit of money in the 70's he was actually earning close to 6 figures then as an engineer for AT&T but he was spending it as fast as he was making by owning the hottest clothes and driving the newest model cars.

I see many who take the concept of faking it until they make it into a level where it is downright hazardous to the individual. Many purchase cars and homes they cannot afford hoping to impress others who really could care less about the person. The individuals usually end up spending much money than they have coming in which is always a recipe for financial disaster. Our American economy is the perfect example and one day we all will pay the price for it.

I do feel there are some instances where faking it until you actually arrive to where you want to be is a necessity. For example if you want to become the manager in your department you can start by taking on more responsibility and actually taking charge of projects or asking for more responsibility. Also one could begin to dress as if you were already a manager. I have learned through hard times the beauty of shopping at thrift stores. An individual can save up about $40 and be able to purchase enough clothes to mix and match outfits that are stylish and last you one week. After doing this once a month you can eventually have about 1 month clothes for about $120. You no longer need to spend over $1000 on work clothes to show that you care about your position.